AASHTO Journal, 29 May 2015
Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo, along with House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello and Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed, unveiled a $700 million bonding plan for bridge improvements over the next decade that would cover the bond payments with new user fees on truck traffic.
They called this “RhodeWorks” financing proposal “a bold action plan to address our state’s crumbling transportation infrastructure.”
Raimondo unveils RhodeWorks bond proposal.The bond would anchor what state officials envision as a broader highway bridge and transit infrastructure program that they hope can attract $400 million in federal matching transit funds, for a total $1.1 billion program.
“Beyond bridges,” the announcement said, “RhodeWorks also reflects a new commitment toward providing increased bus and rail service, as well as funding for bike lanes and accessible sidewalks.”
The officials said RhodeWorks could create about 12,000 “job-years” over the next decade, and make the state a more attractive place for businesses.
Raimondo emphasized the bridge improvements the bond program will make. “While deteriorating roads and bridges is a problem nationwide, Rhode Island ranks last for the overall condition of our bridges,” the governor said.
She said the investments would deliver a big pay-off by cutting the long-term costs of infrastructure upgrades. “The longer we wait to address this problem, the more expensive it will become to fix,” Raimondo said. “Our RhodeWorks proposal will not only help keep Rhode Islanders safe, but it will also grow our economy, create jobs, save over $1 billion in projected future costs, and make the state a more attractive place for businesses to invest.”
The Providence Journal newspaper reported the plan would electronically assess new tolls on trucks traveling certain routes in the state, to generate an expected $100 million a year. The plan explicitly prohibits the Rhode Island Department of Transportation from placing a user fee on cars, motorcycles, SUVs, pick-up trucks and small commercial vehicles.
Of the $700 million in bond receipts, RhodeWorks would devote $400 million to bridge repairs on Routes 6 and the 10 connector. The other $300 million would be used for bridge repairs on other major transportation arteries, the Journal said.
“Our infrastructure is in critical condition, ranking last among the 50 states in the percentage of structurally deficient bridges,” said RIDOT Director Peter Alviti. “The longer we wait, the more expensive these repairs become. By accelerating funding for repairs, our bridges will reach 90 percent structural sufficiency by 2024 and we can save $1 billion by meeting federal highway safety standards earlier.”
The governor’s announcement said RhodeWorks funds would fix more than 150 structurally deficient bridges, and improve another 500 to prevent them from becoming deficient. By comparison, “under the status quo, Rhode Island will never meet federal standards for our roads and bridges,” it said.
“Infrastructure is a critical component of rebuilding our economy and improving our job climate,” said Mattiello. “The proposal by Governor Raimondo is an investment in economic development, while getting people to work in the construction trades. Being ranked at the bottom of states with deficient bridges is a disincentive to businesses looking to locate in our state.”
He said the House Finance Committee will soon hold a public hearing and review the details of the proposal.
Paiva Weed called the plan “a very exciting proposal to put in place a system that will repair Rhode Island’s crumbling roads and bridges while reducing long-term costs on taxpayers and motorists.” She said the Senate also would review the details, “including any potential impact on Rhode Island businesses. It is vital to Rhode Island’s economic well-being that we invest in our transportation infrastructure.”
